Aircraft interior lavatory

ABSTRACT

A lavatory for an aircraft cabin includes a wall having a forward wall portion disposed immediately aft of and substantially conforming to an exterior aft surface of an aircraft cabin structure, such as a passenger seat, that is substantially not flat in a vertical plane. The forward wall portion includes a forward projection over an aft portion of the adjacent passenger seat. The forward wall portion can define a secondary space in the interior lavatory space, which can provide an amenity stowage space, and can include design elements providing visual space.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This continuation application is based upon U.S. Ser. No. 14/043,500,filed on Oct. 1, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.13/089,063, filed on Apr. 18, 2011, U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,838, issue dateNov. 26, 2013, which claims priority from Provisional Application No.61/326,198, filed Apr. 20, 2010, and Provisional Application No.61/346,835, filed May 20, 2010, which are incorporated by reference intheir entirety herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to aircraft enclosures, and moreparticularly relates to an aircraft cabin enclosure, such as a lavatory,an aircraft closet, or an aircraft galley, for example, including anaircraft cabin structure having an aft portion with a substantiallyvertically extending exterior aft surface that is substantially not flatin a vertical plane.

Aircraft lavatories, closets and other full height enclosures commonlyhave forward walls that are flat in a vertical plane. Structures such aspassenger seats installed forward of such aircraft lavatories, closetsand similar full height enclosures often have shapes that are contouredin the vertical plane. The juxtaposition of these flat walled enclosuresand contoured structures renders significant volumes unusable to boththe function of the flat walled lavatory or enclosure and the functionof the contoured seat or other structure. Additionally, due to the lackof a provision for structural load sharing, conventional aircraftlavatories require a gap between the lavatory enclosures and adjacentstructures, resulting in a further inefficiency in the use of space.

Aircraft bulkheads, typically separating passenger cabin areas orclasses of passenger service, are in common use, and typically have acontour permitting passengers seated behind the bulkhead to extend theirfeet modestly under the premium seats immediately forward of thebulkhead. These provide a comfort advantage to passengers seated behindthe bulkhead, but provide no increased efficiency in the use of space,in that they do not enable the seats fore and aft of the bulkhead to beplaced more closely together. Short, floor-mounted stowage boxes,typically no taller than the bottom cushion of a passenger seat, areoften positioned between the flat wall of current lavatories or otherenclosures and passenger seats. These provide no improvement to theutility or spatial efficiency of the lavatory or other enclosure. Whilethey do provide some useful stowage for miscellaneous items, they do notprovide sufficient additional stowage to provide more space forpassenger seating.

It would be desirable to provide an aircraft lavatory or other enclosurethat can reduce or eliminate the gaps and volumes of space previouslyrequired between lavatory enclosures and adjacent structures to allow anadjacent structure such as passenger seating installed forward of thelavatory or other enclosure to be installed further aft, providing morespace forward of the lavatory or enclosure for passenger seating orother features than has been possible in the prior art. Alternatively,the present invention can provide a more spacious lavatory or otherenclosure with no need to move adjacent seats or other structuresforward.

It would also be desirable to provide an aircraft lavatory or otherenclosure with a wall to bear loads from an adjacent passenger seatingor other structure, permitting elimination of a required gap between thelavatory or other enclosure and the adjacent passenger seating or otherstructure, making more space available for other uses. In addition,enabling a lavatory or other enclosure to bear loads from an adjacentstructure can reduce the combined weight of the lavatory or otherenclosure and the adjacent structure.

It also would be desirable to provide an aircraft lavatory or otherenclosure that can reduce or eliminate the gaps and volumes of spacepreviously required between lavatory enclosures and adjacent structures,to allow the installation of an increased number of passenger seats, toincrease the value of the aircraft. The present invention meets theseand other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention provides for anenclosure, such as a lavatory, an aircraft closet, or an aircraftgalley, for example, for a cabin of an aircraft including a structurehaving an aft portion with a substantially vertically extending exterioraft surface that is substantially not flat in a vertical plane. Theenclosure structure permits a combination of the enclosure with thestructure in a manner that permits significant saving of space in theaircraft, which in turn permits more seats to be installed, or morespace to be offered per seat, increasing the value of the aircraft.

Accordingly, in one presently preferred aspect, the present inventionprovides for an enclosure unit for a cabin of an aircraft including anaircraft cabin structure having an aft portion with an exterior aftsurface that is substantially not flat in a vertical plane. Theenclosure unit can be a lavatory, an aircraft closet, or an aircraftgalley, for example. In one presently preferred aspect, the enclosureunit includes one or more walls that are taller than an adjacentaircraft cabin structure, the one or more walls defining an interiorenclosure space and having a forward wall portion. The forward wallportion is configured to be disposed immediately aft of and adjacent toor abutting the exterior aft surface of the aircraft cabin structure,and the forward wall portion is shaped to substantially conform to theshape of the exterior aft surface of the aircraft cabin structure.

In another presently preferred aspect, the enclosure unit includes anenclosure stall unit, and the aircraft cabin structure is a passengerseat installed immediately forward of the enclosure stall unit. Inanother presently preferred aspect, the forward wall portion of theenclosure unit is configured to accept loads from the aircraft passengerseat. In another presently preferred aspect, the forward wall portionincludes a forward projection configured to project over an aft portionof the adjacent passenger seat immediately forward of the enclosurestall unit.

In another presently preferred aspect, the enclosure is a lavatory,including a lavatory stall unit with one or more walls having a forwardwall portion. The one or more walls define an interior lavatory space,and the forward wall portion is configured to be disposed immediatelyaft of and adjacent to or abutting an aircraft cabin structure having anexterior aft surface having a shape that is substantially not flat in avertical plane. In a presently preferred aspect, the forward wallportion is shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the exterioraft surface of the aircraft cabin structure.

In another presently preferred aspect, the aircraft cabin structure is apassenger seat installed immediately forward of the lavatory stall unit,and the forward wall portion of the lavatory stall unit is configured toaccept loads from the passenger seat. In another presently preferredaspect, the forward wall portion includes a forward projectionconfigured to project over an aft portion of the adjacent passenger seatimmediately forward of the lavatory stall unit. In another presentlypreferred aspect, the forward wall portion defines a secondary space inthe interior lavatory space in an area forward of an aft-most portion ofthe forward wall portion. The secondary space can provide an amenitystowage space inside the lavatory stall unit in the area forward of anaft-most portion of the forward wall portion, and can include designelements providing visual space inside the lavatory in the area forwardof an aft-most portion of the forward wall portion.

In another presently preferred aspect, the present invention providesfor an assembly of an aircraft enclosure unit and an aircraft cabinstructure for an aircraft cabin, the assembly in combination includingan aircraft cabin structure having an exterior aft surface having ashape that is substantially not flat in a vertical plane, and anaircraft enclosure unit including at least one wall having a forwardwall portion. The one or more walls define an interior enclosure space,the forward wall portion is disposed immediately aft of and adjacent tothe aircraft cabin structure, and the forward wall portion is shaped tosubstantially conform to the shape of the exterior aft surface of theaircraft cabin structure. In another presently preferred aspect, theaircraft cabin structure is a passenger seat installed immediatelyforward of the aircraft enclosure unit. In another presently preferredaspect, the forward wall portion is configured to accept loads from theaircraft passenger seat. In another presently preferred aspect, theforward wall portion includes a forward projection configured to projectover an aft portion of the adjacent passenger seat immediately forwardof the aircraft enclosure unit.

In another presently preferred aspect, the aircraft enclosure unit is alavatory stall, and the one or more walls define an interior lavatoryspace. In another presently preferred aspect, the forward wall portiondefines a secondary space in the interior lavatory space in an areaforward of an aft-most portion of the forward wall portion.

In another presently preferred aspect, the present invention providesfor an assembly of an aircraft lavatory unit and an aircraft cabinstructure for an aircraft cabin, in which the assembly in combinationincludes an aircraft cabin structure having an exterior aft surfacehaving a shape that is substantially not flat in a vertical plane, andan aircraft lavatory stall unit including one or more walls having aforward wall portion. In another presently preferred aspect, the one ormore walls define an interior lavatory space, the forward wall portionis disposed immediately aft of and adjacent to the aircraft cabinstructure, and the forward wall portion is shaped to substantiallyconform to the shape of the exterior aft surface of the aircraft cabinstructure. In another presently preferred aspect, the aircraft cabinstructure is a passenger seat installed immediately forward of theaircraft lavatory stall unit, and wherein the forward wall portion ofthe aircraft lavatory stall unit is configured to accept loads from thepassenger seat. In another presently preferred aspect, the forward wallportion includes a forward projection configured to project over an aftportion of the adjacent passenger seat immediately forward of theaircraft lavatory stall unit. In another presently preferred aspect, theforward wall portion defines a secondary space in the interior lavatoryspace in an area forward of an aft-most portion of the forward wallportion.

These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawings, which illustrate by way of example the features of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a prior art installation of a lavatoryimmediately aft of and adjacent to an aircraft passenger seat.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an installation of a lavatory accordingto the present invention immediately aft of and adjacent to or abuttingan aircraft cabin passenger seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, which are provided by way of example, and notby way of limitation, the present invention provides for an enclosure10, such as a lavatory for a cabin 12 of an aircraft (not shown),although the enclosure may also be an aircraft closet, or an aircraftgalley, or similar enclosed or structurally defined spaces, for example.As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the cabin includes a structure 14, and theenclosure may be taller than the cabin structure. The cabin structurecan be a passenger seat 16, for example, installed immediately forwardof the enclosure and having an aft portion 18 with and exterior aftsurface 20 that is substantially not flat in a vertical plane 22. Thelavatory includes a lavatory stall unit 24 having one or more walls 26having a forward wall portion 28. The one or more walls define aninterior lavatory space 30, and the forward wall portion is configuredto be disposed immediately aft of and adjacent to or abutting theexterior aft surface of the aircraft cabin structure. The forward wallportion has a shape that is substantially not flat in the verticalplane, and preferably is shaped to include a recess 34 such that theforward wall portion substantially conforms to the shape of the exterioraft surface of the aircraft cabin structure. In a presently preferredaspect, the forward wall portion of the lavatory stall unit isconfigured to accept loads from the passenger seat. As shown in FIG. 2,the forward wall portion 28 can be configured to provide a lower recess100 formed between the forward wall portion 28 and the cabin deck 102.As also shown in FIG. 2, the lower recess 100 can be configured toreceive at least a portion of an aft-extending seat support 17 therein.As can be seen by comparing FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the recess 34 and thelower recess 100 combine to permit the passenger seat 16 to bepositioned farther aft in the cabin than would be possible if thelavatory enclosure 10 included a conventional flat and vertical forwardwall without recesses like that shown in FIG. 1, or included a forwardwall that did not include both recesses 34, 100.

In another presently preferred aspect, the forward wall portion definesa secondary space 36 in the interior lavatory space in an area 38forward of an aft-most portion 40 of the forward wall portion, and theforward wall portion includes a forward projection 42 configured toproject over the aft portion of the adjacent passenger seat back 44immediately forward of the lavatory stall unit. The secondary space caninclude an amenity stowage space 46 inside the lavatory stall unit inthe area forward of the aft-most portion of the forward wall portion,and the secondary space can include design elements providing visualspace, such as a visual perception of space, inside the lavatory in thearea forward of an aft-most portion of the forward wall portion.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that while particular forms ofthe invention have been illustrated and described, various modificationscan be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention belimited, except as by the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A method of retrofitting an aircraft to provide additionalpassenger seating in the cabin of said aircraft, the cabin including apassenger seat having an exterior aft surface that is substantially notflat, comprising the steps of: installing an aircraft enclosure unitcomprising: a forward wall, said forward wall being part of an outerboundary defining a single enclosed space that includes a toilet, saidforward wall configured to receive a portion of the exterior aft surfaceof the passenger seat; wherein said forward wall is adapted to providemore space forward of the enclosure unit such that the passenger seatcan be positioned further aft in the cabin than if the cabin includedanother enclosure unit having a substantially flat front wall located insubstantially the same position in the cabin as the forward wall; andwherein said enclosed space is taller than the passenger seat; andpositioning said aircraft passenger seat further aft in said aircraftcabin than an initial position of said aircraft passenger seat prior toretrofitting said aircraft.
 2. A method of providing an aircraft withmore passenger seats in the aircraft's cabin, the method comprising thesteps of: installing a combination of an enclosure unit and a passengerseat in the aircraft, the combination comprising: a passenger seatlocated forward of and proximate to the enclosure unit and having anexterior aft surface that is substantially not flat; an enclosure unitlocated aft of the passenger seat, the enclosure unit having a forwardwall, said forward wall being part of an outer boundary defining asingle enclosed space that includes a toilet, said forward wallconfigured to receive a portion of the exterior aft surface of thepassenger seat; wherein said forward wall is adapted to provide morespace forward of the enclosure unit such that the passenger seat can bepositioned further aft in the aircraft cabin than if the cabin includedanother enclosure unit having a front wall that is substantially flatand is located in substantially the same position in the aircraft cabinas the forward wall; and wherein said enclosed space is taller than thepassenger seat; and whereby said aircraft passenger seat can beinstalled further aft in said aircraft cabin than would be possible ifthe substantially flat front wall of the other enclosure unit waslocated in substantially the same position in the aircraft cabin as theforward wall.